LOS ANGELES—Artisan Precast, a leader in precast concrete walls and fences, is offering a more eco-friendly line of precast concrete fencing and walling solutions for 2009. Artisan Precast’s brands have been used for residential, commercial, industrial and government projects for more than 27 years. By utilizing eco-friendly products in the manufacturing process—including VOC and mercury-free molds, water-based release agents, and recycled materials to reduce the use of cement—Artisan Precast has found a way to make a durable, sustainable, aesthetically pleasing material, while reducing the product’s carbon impact. Precast concrete is concrete that has been poured into molds or forms, and allowed...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Meeting Strategies Worldwide announces the release of their industry report: “2009 State of the Sustainable Meeting Industry.” The paper gives an overview of trends and economic factors impacting the meetings industry for 2009 and addresses emerging ideas in policy, technology, and human interest for events. Click here to download the report for free. “We are proud to present our inaugural 2009 State of the Sustainable Meeting Industry report,” says Nancy J. Wilson, CMP, of Meeting Strategies Worldwide. “Trends and forecasts speak to continued economic challenges and increased demand for sustainable meetings. Both present a perfect storm of conditions to...

BOYLSTON, MA.—Owl Power Co., developer and manufacturer of clean energy cogeneration systems, has announced Vegawatt, an innovative new cogeneration system for restaurants and food service facilities. Vegawatt uses waste vegetable oil from any food service operation as a fuel to generate on-site electricity and hot water, saving the restaurant thousands of dollars as well as providing a clean, renewable source of energy. Vegawatt is installed and has been running since early December at Finz Seafood & Grill. “As a restaurant operator I am constantly looking for more efficient methods, and especially for cost-saving measures,” said George Carey, owner of Finz...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal Inc., the first-ever eco logo in the United States, is participating in the Presidential Inauguration by certifying Neenah Paper’s Classic Crest, the paper stock for the Inauguration cards, and providing Green Seal certified accommodations at the Four Points By Sheraton Points in downtown D.C and the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The inaugural invitations were printed on recycled paper called Classic Crest and Green Seal certified the paper product as made with a minimum of 30 percent post consumer fiber and that mill processes, including packaging, are environmentally preferable. “It’s a distinguished cream color,” said Bernie Hennessy,...

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Moyer Diebel, boasting more than half a century of experience in the field, has recently added its newest under counter, the 351HT, to its lineup of quality dish machines. Replacing the current 301HT, this cost-efficient under counter has been updated with many new features and will make its world premiere at the NAFEM 2009 show. Made for small kitchens and bars, the 351HT is an Energy Star qualified machine that significantly reduces water and energy consumption while still delivering sparkling clean wares using a low 0.80 gallons per rack. New features on the 351HT include counter-balanced, double skin door,...

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) and the Corporation de l’industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ) announced that they have signed an agreement regarding the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices in the tourist accommodation industry. Under this agreement, HAC gives CITQ the mandate to visit and certify all establishments in Quebec participating in the Green Key program. “Our agreement with the CITQ gives the Green Key program, launched by our association in 1997, unprecedented credibility, since the rating will now be based on regular inspections of participating establishments by an organization with recognized skills in...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Mark Whalen has been named president of Electrolux Food Service Americas Division. Whalen is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience. He has previously led the efforts of Jackson, Vulcan-Hart and Victory and serves on the board of directors for the North American Association of Foodservice Equipment Manufacturers. In his new role, Whalen will be responsible for all aspects of the foodservice equipment business in the region. “I am delighted to join the Electrolux Team at this critical stage of the development of the markets in the Americas,” Whalen says. “The brand is a...

HERMOSA BEACH, CALIF.—Green Globe International, Inc., the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, and Green Hotel Certification have announced the launch of a new Corporate Membership program which is designed to make the Green Globe/Green Hotel Certification duel certification program more affordable for hotel and resort properties. The certification fee of the duel Green Globe/Green Hotel Certification was replaced by a monthly membership fee. “Given current economic conditions in the hospitality industry, a pricing structure that recognizes the challenges in the market but still delivers all the benefits of the two premier international green certification programs will make participation...

BOSTON—Seattle-based O Ecotextiles, which debuted in the United States last year, announced that its fabric was selected as one of BuildingGreen’s 2008 Top 10 Green Building Products by the editors of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec. This seventh annual award recognizes the most innovative and exciting green building products added to the GreenSpec Directory during the past year or covered in Environmental Building News. O Ecotextiles’ message is that being an “organic textile” means not just that a fabric uses organic fibers in the yarn, but that every step of the production process has been certified eco-friendly. The company produces...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes usfi | GreenWorks as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. The company is a source for printed products and services—anything that can be imprinted or screened with a brand. Examples include key cards, stationery, sweaters, coasters, laundry bags, ball caps, towels, coffee mugs and much more. The company offers three Green Earth Key Cards: 1) BioPVC, a vinyl that biodegrades naturally, 2) corn-based plastics, and 3) recycled PVC. Based in Dallas with offices nationwide, usfi | GreenWorks has been in business since 1984. The company’s products are...